Rolf Erb
Rolf Erb | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rolf Peter Erb 2 September 1951 Winterthur, Switzerland |
| Died | 8 April 2017 (aged 65) Eugensberg Castle, Salenstein, Switzerland |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Employer | Erb Group |
| Criminal status | Deceased |
| Spouse |
|
| Children | 2 |
| Criminal charge | Fraud, Forgery |
| Penalty | 7 years in prison |
Rolf Peter Erb (2 September 1951 – 8 April 2017) was a Swiss businessman. He was primarily known for his involvement in the Erb Group bankruptcy case in 2003, the second largest in Switzerland's history after Swissair, with debts over $2 billion.
Early life and education
Erb was born in Winterthur, Switzerland on 2 September 1951, the second of three sons, to Hugo Erb Jr. (1918–2003) and Loni Erb (née Frey; 1924–2000).[1] He had an older brother, Heinz Erb (1949–1972), and a younger brother, Christian Erb (born 1958).[2]
He studied art history in Florence, Italy with the intention of becoming an art historian. After the unexpected death of his older brother in a car accident his father convinced him to enter the family business and he received further education in business administration.[3][4]
Erb Case
On 22 March 2012, Erb was sentenced to eight years in prison by the Winterthur District Court for making false business statements, document forgery on several counts and prejudicial treatment of creditors by reducing personal assets.[5] Erb appealed the sentence.[6] On 15 January 2015 the sentence was reduced to seven years in prison. Furthermore, the courts decided that all personal property, including a classic car collection as well as his real estate portfolio, which included a Winterthur estate and Eugensberg Castle, should be auctioned by authorities. An attempt by Erb's legal team to move the case to the Federal Supreme Court was dismissed on 16 September 2015.[7][8] Erb deferred entering prison several times through medical certificates and other legal options. He was supposed to report to prison on 5 April 2017, which he was able to defer one last time before dying.[9]
Personal life
In 1981, Erb married Christina Dorothea Conze (1958–2009)[10]. They did not have any children. In 2002, Erb had two twin sons from another relationship.[11]
Erb died of a heart attack on 8 April 2017 at Eugensberg Castle in Salenstein, Switzerland aged 65.[12]
References
- ^ Death notice of Loni Erb-Frey (1924–2000) https://www.e-newspaperarchives.ch/?a=d&d=NZZ20000525-01.2.76.6&srpos=6&e=-------en-20--1--img-txIN-Erb%252DFrey-------0-----
- ^ "Vom Aufstieg und Fall des Unternehmers Rolf Erb | ..." Bilanz (in German). 2017-04-10. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ Der Fall Erb - DOK - Play SRF. Retrieved 2025-08-13 – via www.srf.ch.
- ^ Müller, André (2017-04-10). "Sechs Fragen und Antworten zur Erb-Saga | NZZ". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ Rolf Erb soll 8 Jahre hinter Gitter - News-Clip - Play SRF. Retrieved 2025-08-13 – via www.srf.ch.
- ^ "Rolf Erb zu acht Jahren Freiheitsstrafe verurteilt". Tages-Anzeiger (in German). 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
- ^ "Rolf Erb gibt nicht auf". Tages-Anzeiger (in German). 2014-01-15. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
- ^ "Rolf Erb muss sieben Jahre ins Gefängnis". Tages-Anzeiger (in German). 2015-09-16. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
- ^ Fontana, Katharina (2017-03-30). "Rolf Erb muss die Haft antreten". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in Swiss High German). ISSN 0376-6829. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
- ^ Death notice of Christina Erb-Conze (1958–2009) https://trauer.nrw/traueranzeige/christina_dorothea-erb-conze
- ^ https://www.liquidator-unifina.ch/uploads/media/9._Rechenschaftsbericht_mit_Liquidationsstatus__4596587_.pdf
- ^ "Natürliche Todesursache - Rolf Erb hat keinen Suizid begangen". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) (in German). Retrieved 2025-08-13.